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Serving the Earth, Serving Each Other

As we approached the final months of the school year, our students were given a unique challenge: to lead a project rooted in seva—selfless service—that would leave a lasting impact. What emerged was not only thoughtful and inspiring, but entirely student-driven.

MPA students brainstormed how they wanted to serve the earth for Seva the Planet; they decided to clean up the community area around the MPA campus by:
– providing alternate waste collection opportunities by installing garbage bins outside of Miri Piri Academy for community members to use, instead of throwing their waste in public areas
– educating community members on the importance of keeping our surroundings clean, and
– planting trees along the community walkway around the school

From designing the logo, to identifying the core mission, to organizing clean-up efforts in the community around the school—every step of this project was shaped by their ideas, energy, and collaboration. They worked as a team, combining creativity, compassion, and leadership to bring something beautiful to life.

We are incredibly proud of how our students poured their hearts, minds, and time into what became MPA’s Seva the Planet initiative!

What is Seva the Planet?

Seva the Planet is MPA’s student-led environmental initiative inspired by the Sikh principle of seva—selfless service. It’s about taking care of the Earth while building stronger connections with each other and the world around us. Through clean-up drives, tree planting, and environmental education, students are learning that service to the Earth is also a path to inner growth and community harmony.

This initiative is more than a school project—it’s a movement for environmental care, community responsibility, and spiritual connection.

How MPA’s ‘Seva The Planet’ Unfolded

September 2024 – Monthly Road Clean-Ups
Even before the official project launch, students had already taken action. Monthly road clean-ups began at the start of the year, building momentum and awareness. These clean-ups continue as a key part of our initiative.

April 2025 – Project Launch & Community SurveySeva the Planet officially launched in April 2025. The first step was listening: students spoke with neighbours to understand their concerns about trash, illegal dumping, and the state of our shared road. (This was done by the Grade 7 students.)

April 2025 – Community Dumping Ground Cleared
One of the most visible transformations: a large informal dumping ground near the school was cleared through a joint effort of students, staff, and professional support. This marked a turning point in reclaiming the area. (Boarding school students and staff.) 

April 2025 – Logo Design Competition
Students submitted original logos to visually represent the mission and spirit of Seva the Planet. Their designs reflected creativity, environmental awareness, and pride in the project. (Boarding school students)

April 2025 – Beautification Begins
Students began preparing the area outside the school for flower beds. Garbage bins were also installed to support proper waste disposal and discourage future littering. (Boarding school students and staff)

May 2025 – Our First Official Community Event!

Our first major event happened! Students, staff, and community members came together to plant flower beds, install garbage bins along the road and formally celebrate the launch of Seva the Planet (Grade 7 and Boarding school students). Student and staff shared speeches highlighting the importance of this initiative for our surrounding communities.

What MPA students have to say:

“It’s a movement of love, service and sacred stewardship of our earth.”

“Through regular community cleanup drives, tree planting and environmental education we aim to awaken both awareness and action. We seek to inspire individuals to honour the planet as a sacred choice, reflecting Sikh values of cleanliness and reverence for all creation.”

What’s Next for MPA’s Seva the Planet?

Even though the school year is wrapping up and our first community event was a big success, Seva the Planet is just getting started. The energy and effort our students put into this project has created real momentum—and we’re excited to keep it going!

Looking ahead, we’ll continue working toward a long-term solution for community waste, plant more trees along the road to add beauty and shade, and keep up regular clean-up days with help from our students and local volunteers.

This isn’t just a one-time initiative—it’s the beginning of something meaningful that we’ll grow together, step by step.

When you pollute the Earth, you pollute yourself.
You are not separate from what you walk on.
– Yogi Bhajan